Electrolytic apparatus.



No. 669,752. Patented Mar. l2, l90l.

P. w. KNAUF.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS Application filed July 17, 1900) V (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

WITNESSES: I v INVENTORA pm?" 4 M, A

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No. 669,752. Patehted Mar. I2, l90l. P. w. KNAUF.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS (Application filed July 17, 1900. (No Modeh) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

c o h B a E o y A C I i a C Jf-}'1-= i h Q I i 7 ii. 1 I L WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

No. 669,752. Patented Mar. l2, I90l.

P. W. KNAUF.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS (Applicafion filed Ju ly 17, 1900.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-fleet 3.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

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.PAUL W. KNAUF, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO Tl-IE ELECTRICAL LEAD REDUCTION COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

$PTE1GIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 669,752, dated March 12, 1901.

Application filed July 1'7, 1900. Serial No.23.898. .No model To r/JZZ whom it may concern: top. The relation of the total diameter at Beit known that I, PAUL W. KNAUF, acitithe flange to the total diameter of the top of zen of the United States, residing at No.44 t8 the receptacle is such that when one recepta- North Uber street, in the city and county of cleis superimposed upon another, as shown in 5 Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have Fig. 2, the top edge of the lower oneis snugly invented certain new and useful Improveseated within the downwardly-turned lip of ments in Electrolytic Apparatus, whereof the the flange, which prevents displacement, the following is a specification, reference being conical walls of the receptacles affording an had to the accompanying drawings interspace between the adjacent surfaces. At to My invention relates to an apparatus points preferably diametrical in the flange B wherein a series of receptaclesis employed to orifices d d are formed, for a purpose which contain substances which are to be electrowill hereinafter be described. A shield E, of lytically treated or acted upon by the prodinsulating material, such as rubber, is arnets of electrolysis; and the main features ranged to fit snugly around the inside snr- 15 of improvement comprise both the peculiar face of the wall of the receptacle, extending construction of the unit of the series and from the top to the bottom thereof, and is protheir combination in an organized group vided with an outwardlyprojecting rim e, which occupies a minimum of space andis which covers the top edge of the wall, and easy of manipulation, while at the same time hence is interposed between it and the flange 7o 20 affording a complete control of the gaseous of the next receptacle, so as to insulate one products of electrolytic action. from the other. At diametrical points and Referring to the drawings, Figurelisatop coincident with two of the ribs C (which are or plan view of a preferred form of receptapreferably made larger than the rest) horiole constituting a unit of the series. Fig. 2 zontal holes D are formed to permit the in- 25 is a vertical central section on the line 2 2 of sertion of tongs or other convenient lifting Fig. 1 through a series of two such receptadevices, (not shown,) whereby the receptacle cles. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section on may be lifted and the contents dumped by the lines 3 3 of Fig. 1 through a single retilting, as upon trunnion-bearings. The receptacle. Fig. 4 is a top or plan view, and ceptacles are combined by superimposing 0 Fig. 5 is a side elevation, of a group composed them in stacks, as shown in Fig. 5, the lowest of four stacks of said receptacles arranged in member being supported upon non-conductposition. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of ing legs, (indicated at H,) and four of such the insulating-shield. Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are stacks being preferably grouped about a cenpartial sectional views illustrating modificatral gas-duct F. Communication between 5 tions of the form of the receptacle. this central duct and each one of the recep- In the instance selected for illustration I tacles is effected by flexible tubes ff f f shall describe an apparatus adapted for the preferably of rubber, said tubes being insertelectrolytic reduction of lead ore. ed in the orifices, such d, before indicated.

In the type shown in Figs. 1 to 6 the recep- The other orifices, such as d, are intended to 0 4o tacleA (preferably oastfrom antimonial lead) be used for replenishing the contents of the has the general shape. of the frustum of a receptacles during working and of course cone, the outer surface of the bottom also should be closed by a stopper of rubber or tapering downward slightly toward the cenother proper material. It will thus be seen ter. An external annular flangeB is formed that the superimposed receptacles, with the 5 5 around the side or wall of the receptacle and interposed rims of the shields,form tightjoints projects slightly beyondthe periphery of the with one another, and a series of sealed chamupper edge thereof, said flange terminating bers insulated from one another is obtained, in a downwardly turned lip 17. Vertical each chamber communicating only with the strengthening-ribs C are formed radially at central gas-duct. too 50 intervals upon the outside of the receptacle, I will now proceed to describe the use of the extending upward from the flange B to the apparatus in connection with the electrolytic reduction of lead ore, such as galena or sulfid of lead. The ore to be reduced is placed in the bottom of the receptacles to a depth which leaves a short interval between the top of the mass and the under surface of the next re-' ceptacle above it, and the electrolyte, consisting of one part of pure sulfuric acid to ten of water, is then poured in to a level higher than the bottom of such next receptacle. The conducting-wire P from the positive pole of the source of electricity is connected with the top receptacle of one stack, preferably by clamping it upon one of the ribs (1. The bottom receptacle of this stack is electrically connect-ed to the top receptacle of the next stack, and so on, the circuit being finally completed at the bottom receptacle of the last stack, which is connected with the negative pole by the wire N. The shields E by insulating the side walls of the receptacles restrict the current to a substantially vertical path through the mass of ore, and thus prevent the ineffectual short-circuiting which would otherwise occur. The sulfureted hydrogen gas which results from the foregoing operation passes out through the tubes f, 650., into the central gas-duct, by means of which it is conducted to any proper point of discharge for utilization or otherwise. face of the receptacle facilitates the escape of the gas rising from the ore.

When it is desired to remove the contents, the top receptacles of the respective stacks can be successively lifted off and dumped by tilting upon their trunnion-bearings,the other receptacles of the series remaining sealed, as above.

In the form shown in Fig. 7 the general configuration of the receptacle is the same as that just described; but instead of providing the flange B with a lip upon its extreme periphery I obtain a similar result by means of the downwardly-projecting rib b, which engages with the inner face of the top of the subjacent receptacle' In the type shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the necessary reduction in diameter at the lower portion of the receptacle is obtained by constructing the side or wall with an offset a, which also affords the bearing-surface for seating the receptacle upon the next one of the series. This offset may be provided with a downwardly-projecting lip, such as a, or may havea countersunk bearing-surface in the form of a channel, such as a to afford a seat for the top edge of the next receptacle. In this instance the gas-orifices a are located in the wall above the offset, and corresponding holes are formed through the insulatingshields E and B", respectively.

I have shown these variations of detail to illustrate a few of the embodiments which the invention permits; but I of course do not limit my claims to the precise types shown. It is only necessary that the receptacles shall be capable of superimposition in vertical series The tapering under surwith proper interspaces for ore and electrolyte and that a proper bearing-surface shall be afiorded for securing a close joint between the top edge of one receptacle and the region of contact with the next one, the combination 'being such as to permit the proper location of gas-orifices.

I claim 1. The combination, of a series of superposed metallic receptacles, each having its lower portion of less diameter than the upper edge, and each having an exterior peripheral seat arranged below said upper edge but conforming throughout its whole extent with such edge, said receptacles being respectively provided with external gas-escape orifices adjacent to said seat,whereby a series of whollyisolated chambers having individual escapeoritices is formed, substantially as set forth.

2. An element for an electrolytic series consistingofa metallic receptacle havingitslower portion of less diameter than its upper portion; an exterior peripheral flange arranged below its edge, said flange being provided with an orifice; and a series of radial strengthening-ribs adjacent'to said flange, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with an element for an electrolytic series consisting of a metallic receptacle having its lower portion of less diameter than its upper portion, and an exterior peripheral seat arranged below the upper edge; ofan insulating-shield fittingagainst the side wall of the cell and extending outward over the top edge thereof, substantially as set forth.

4:. An element for an electrolytic series consistingofamet-allic receptacle havingits lower portion of less diameter than the upper portion, in combination with an exterior peripheral seat arranged below its upper edge, and means, substantially as set forth, for providing trunnion-bearings, whereby said receptacle may be tilted to discharge its contents.

5. The combination of a gas-duct; a series of superimposed metallic receptacles, each having an exterior peripheral seat adapted to engage with the top edge of the subjacent receptacle, and an orifice adjacent to said seat; and a series of tubes leading from said orifices to said gas-duct, substantially as set forth.

6. An element for an electrolytic series consisting of a metallic receptacle havingits lower portion of less diameter than the upper portion and having a bottom surface which is inclined upward radially from the center to the outer periphery, in combination with an exterior peripheral seat arranged below the upper edge, and an orifice adjacent to said seat, substantially as set forth.

PAUL W. KNAUF.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. REESE. 

